The SA used car market continued its positive trajectory in March, reflecting a healthy demand and increasing retailer confidence, according to the latest data from AutoTrader. The average price of a used car saw a slight increase to R417 688, marking the second consecutive month of price growth and bucking the historical seasonal trend of price contraction in March.

While overall used car demand in the SA grew by 1.0% year-on-year, the supply increased at a faster rate of 5.7%, which tempered more significant price rises. Nevertheless, used cars continued to sell quickly, with an average selling time of 25 days, down two days from February, indicating strong consumer engagement. Petrol cars were the fastest selling fuel type, averaging just 24 days on forecourts.

The used electric vehicle (EV) market in SA is experiencing significant shifts, with supply surging by 54.7% year-on-year, outpacing the demand growth of 35.9%. This imbalance is putting downward pressure on used EV prices, making them a more attractive option for buyers. In contrast, prices for petrol and diesel vehicles saw modest increases.

AutoTrader analysis suggests that despite improving pricing confidence among retailers, there are still opportunities to capitalise further on the current demand. The data indicates a resilient SA used car market adapting to evolving supply and demand dynamics.

Top 10 sold used models in March 2025

Source: Michelle Muir / AutoTrader Used Car Sales Data: 1 – 31 March 2025